USDA is moving ahead with plans to build a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base near Edinburg, Texas, to produce 300 million sterile flies to combat New World screwworm and reduce reliance on foreign sources. Source: Farm Progress, August 18, 2025. Link. Also see: Emergency use of animal drugs authorized for screwworms, BEEF, August 19, 2025. Link. HHS … [Read more...]
Plug and Play Topeka selects 13 animal health startups for accelerator program
In collaboration with GO Topeka, the economic development group for Kansas' capital city, Plug and Play Topeka, a global industry-specific accelerator program, has selected 13 animal health startups for its ninth cohort. The group includes global startups focusing on animal health diagnostics or therapeutics, food safety and quality, packaging, or novel ingredients, and … [Read more...]
Dr. Gary Smith awarded CAB’s Industry Achievement Award
Likely the most renowned meat scientist in the U.S., Dr. Gary Smith received the Industry Achievement Award from Certified Angus Beef during its Feeding Quality Program in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 24. Source: Certified Angus Beef, August 2025. Link (includes video). Dr. Gary Smith originally had no plans to become a meat scientist. But thank goodness he did. … [Read more...]
CattleCon 2026 registration is now open
Registration is now open for CattleCon 2026, the annual gathering for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and NCBA Trade Show. The event will take place from February 3 through February 6 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Source: NCBA, August 20, 2025. Link. Full convention details. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 21, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 14, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 14, 2025 AHD Bulletin – When the economy suffers, the dogs and cats suffer. Link. Combine disease. A good reminder for livestock producers. Link. The hidden costs of fear in businesses. Link. Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms. … [Read more...]
Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms
Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, or tetanus, any wound can easily become contaminated at any time. However, caution is warranted in areas damaged by storms. Storm damages provide abnormal opportunities for horses, cattle and hogs to be injured and get a tetanus infection. Source: Feedstuffs, August 6, 2025. Link. Following a storm, … [Read more...]
Doing pet telehealth right isn’t optional; it’s essential
Complimentary Content Telehealth should support, not compete with, local veterinarians, writes Deb Leon, founder and CEO of whiskerDocs. She asserts that the best systems relieve pressure on clinics, help triage smartly and improve access without undermining the critical role of in-person exams. Warning of the risks from cutting corners as the services grow, she outlines why … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 11, 2025
Conference reminders and overview, Rover expanding through acquisition, legislative updates, August 7th AHD Bulletin and more . . . Source: IBPSA, August 11, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
When the economy suffers, the dogs and cats suffer
It’s a story heard across the country: pet owners relinquishing their animals and shelters too full to take them. Liam Stack and Olivia Bensimon share what amounts to a situation analysis of burgeoning issues in New York City’s public animal shelters. It’s non-stop and no one can keep up . . . We can’t adopt our way out.” – Katy Hansen talking about the number of surrenders in … [Read more...]
Analgesic relief during castration. The right thing and it pays
Sponsor Content A study at Kansas State University demonstrated how lidocaine-infused castration bands help calves transition through the painful castration phase more smoothly and comfortably than after standard castration practices. Increased lying time versus controls between days 21 and 35 post-banding demonstrated how Solvet’s LidobandTM improves calf comfort as … [Read more...]
Understanding feline behavior for better diagnosis, stronger bonds
What a great statement, “The human animal bond is bilateral!” Christine Won shares some quotes from Dr. Carlo Siracusa’s presentation at the 2025 AVMA Convention explaining the importance of understanding feline behavior as a fundamental key to a more accurate diagnosis. He called for an integration of behavioral signs into the clinical reasoning process. Source: AVMA, … [Read more...]
Pumpkin 101 for dogs
Sarah Ann Taylor shares two articles about pumpkin meat and seeds in these articles. We knew raw pumpkin is a healthy snack, but the seed information may be new to some. Fresh raw pumpkin for dogs makes a good and healthy snack. It adds nutritional value to their diet, can help alleviate some health concerns, has virtually no side effects and canned, plain pumpkin for dogs … [Read more...]
Top 5 pre-season tips for hunters and their hunting dogs
Early hunting seasons are a month away. For hunters and their dogs, now is the time to listen to the ball games on the radio and get ready for days in the field. Ruth Ann Lobos, DVM, shares good advice to acclimate and condition dogs before opening day: Refine their off-season nutrition plan Take inventory and refresh the first aid kits (for dogs and hunters alike) … [Read more...]
CSU study finds fasting horses isn’t necessary before anesthesia (video)
Challenging the long-held belief that horses need to fast before surgery, Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Rachel Hector, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVAA, conducted an in-house study to examine the age-old practice. They found that horses that weren't fasted passed manure sooner and produced more of it after surgery, with no increase in anesthesia risk or … [Read more...]
Horse-friendly motel listing helps those traveling with horses
When equine people travel with their horses, this worldwide horse motel resource could be helpful. Source: Horse Motels International. Link. The map program can be found here <Link>. Image: Link … [Read more...]
Combine disease. A good reminder for livestock producers
Kevin Schulz shares an important reminder as crop harvesting season arrives. Whether swine, cattle or poultry, maintaining good observation of animals is critical despite the focus on gathering crops. Source: The Farmer, August 11, 2025. Link. You’re spending too much time on the combine and not enough time in the barns. You need to pay more attention to your sows, even … [Read more...]
Does vaccination influence PRRSV evolution?
A new paper from the University of Minnesota shares strong experimental evidence that vaccination influences PRRSV-2 evolution and can drive genetic changes that result in viral populations distinct from the original challenge virus. Vaccinated animals harbored viruses that were more genetically diverse and distinct from the parent virus. However, even though viruses … [Read more...]
Should we target longevity or extend lactation length for dairy cows?
Commentary For animal health pros who work with dairy producers or monitor elements of dairy production, this article from Stephen LeBlanc, BSc(Agr), DVM, DVSc, may challenge some of the corporate thinking being applied to the dairies you serve. His discussion of where a cow fits in dairy management decisions and how various scenarios influence culling provides perspectives … [Read more...]
Farmer’s Almanac releases winter forecast
Farmers’ Almanac 2025 – 2026 winter forecast calls for a season of dramatic swings and widespread wintry weather. The season officially begins with the winter solstice on December 21, 2025, but the cold and snow might make an appearance as early as September in some areas of the country. Source: Farmers Almanac: Link. … [Read more...]
Farmina Pet Foods Genius AI wins Pet Care Innovation of the Year Award
Farmina Pet Foods Genius AI is a free, online chatbot that seamlessly integrates AI with human expertise, delivering instant, trusted advice 24/7 to pet parents on pet health, nutrition and care. Genius AI also enables consumers to schedule one-on-one appointments for a personalized and in-depth level of pet care, according to the company. Source: PR Newswire, August 7, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 14, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 7, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 7, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Goodbye trial by fire, hello strategic onboarding. Link. Team successes dependent on emotional intelligence (video). Link. The ABCs of dog blood work: What the results really mean. Link. Financial strain often shapes horse … [Read more...]
Financial barriers revealed in 2025 Hill’s Pet Nutrition State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report
This report confirms much of what we suspected. The cost of veterinary care ranked as the number-1 perceived pet ownership expense or that two-thirds of Americans say vet care costs directly influence their decision to adopt a pet. Three of the top five barriers to pet adoption are financial reasons: veterinary care, the initial cost of the pet and ongoing pet food expense. … [Read more...]
Climate disasters devastating to small businesses
News sources cover the physical destruction from tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, drought, wildfires and winter storms, but what is less visible is the economic impact on small businesses in communities over a prolonged recovery period. Noting the contributions of small businesses to our economy, this article shares the importance of contingency planning and risk … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 4, 2025
This week’s Fast Bites arrived in a new format with reminders of resources for pet services businesses, an announcement of a new webinar to help elevate pet care businesses and the weekly link to the last AHD Bulletin. Registration for The Forum is still open and rooms are available at the convention hotel. Source: IBPSA, August 4, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
The best defense against rats and leptospirosis is a good trash can
The scene? Urban Boston where One Health researchers sought to better understand the risks from leptospirosis. Rats, being typically asymptomatic carriers of leptospirosis, can be an important source of exposure to humans (and pets) in urban environments. Since the organism is shed in the urine, common methods of exposure include direct contact with rat urine or with … [Read more...]
The ABCs of dog blood work: What the results really mean
It is common when reviewing articles on client feedback for pet owners to express confusion about test results and to indicate veterinary teams sometimes don’t take time to explain the results. In this article from AAHA’s Your Pet, blood work results are explained in the context of helping pet owners understand the numbers, their importance and why doing bloodwork is part of … [Read more...]
Steve Dale. Safety first. Use the leash!
There are at least seven reasons to always keep dogs on a leash in public areas. Steve Dale shares the list and a video to drive home the importance of leash use as a safety measure for pets and people. Consider sharing this piece on social media and in newsletters. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, July 28, 2025. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Financial strain often shapes horse owners’ veterinary decisions
A University of Kentucky study motivated by frequent references to the challenges of keeping equine practitioners in the profession confirms that financial constraints affect decisions about veterinary care. Nearly 50 percent of respondents reported being able to accommodate unexpected medical expenses of $5,000 or less. Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2025. … [Read more...]
It’s (past) time to rethink gun use when handling cattle (video)
Trey Patterson shared 2022 National Beef Quality Audit data that revealed a significant problem: 100 percent of non-fed slaughter plants reported finding foreign objects in beef, with half experiencing customer complaints about items like shotgun pellets. This is an all-cattle issue happening predominantly in the production phase, whether it be cattle gathering techniques or … [Read more...]
Beware of blue-tinted pig tissue, an indicator of rodenticide contamination
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife urges hunters to always use caution when harvesting game animals and be aware of potential risks. Wildlife can be inadvertently exposed to rodenticides either by eating rodenticide bait or by eating other animals that have ingested rodenticides. Rodenticide baits often contain dye to identify them as a poison. Blue-colored … [Read more...]